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Habitation 


bint utho said: “3ft 
mill rotni? as tljt damn,” 
anil it ibid. 


APR 14 1921 


©C1A6137U 


CONTENTS 


Part I The Creed 

Part II The Plouse of Silence 

Part III Dark Clouds Hover 

Part IV The Redeeming Power 

Part V Happy Days — Epilogue 


Copyright 1921 
By HOKE SMITH DRAKE 


PART I. 

It wasn't exactly a pauper's haunt, this McDowell Street, 
that was situated on the south side of Asheville, North Car- 
olina ; but it was simply an abiding place for the poor white 
people and negroes. Of course, it was widely known as 
a disreputable district, but that was no fault of the people 
who now resided there ; for all of that was bequeathed upon 
it back in the days of the saloons. Several times in the 
course of its history it had changed its name. First it was 
known as “SCRATCH ANKLE,” then as “CRIPPLE 
CREEK,” and now, not clothed in too decent a garb, 
“McDOWELL STREET.” Now, there still exists a few 
notorious characters who persist in bootlegging intox- 
icating beverages and harboring fugitives from justice. 
But nevertheless, when we stop to contemplate and sum 
up the people as a whole, we find many who are good and 
many who are bad. Denounce them what you may, still 
they will be humans, even as you and I. 

Now I am going to show you old man Billy Jestice, 
nicknamed by his wife, “TEDDY,” who lived on the corner 
of McDowell and Choctaw Streets — that is, at the very 
extreme end of McDowell. He was about the wealthiest 
man in the neighborhood, owning the property there on 
the corner. He was nearing his seventieth birthday, and 
did not have a tooth in his mouth. His chin and nose 
would almost meet when he would talk. When he laughed, 
h s mustache would go up and his goatee would come down. 
He was bald, save for a little gray hair that circled the 
back of his head, from temple to temple. 

His wife (being the third one, the first one dy’ng and 
the second one put away by a bill of divorcement) was con- 
siderably younger than he. She was fat and cranky. It was 
the general sentiment throughout the entire neighborhood 
that all she married old Billy for “WAS PUS MONEY.” 
Often, when pedestrians in passing, would unconciously 
lay their hands upon her fence, she would call out to them. 
“KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF O' THAT FENCE!” 

It was rather late one afternoon in the later part of 
the month of August that Mr. Jestice and a passer-by who 
had chanced to stop for a few moment's gossip, were stand- 


6 


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in g at the front gate. Their conversation drifted from first 
one thing to another, when at length the friend asked, 
“Who lives in that little old shanty up the hollow there?” 

“A widder woman by the name of Smith. She come over 
here purty nearly a year ago, as best I can recollect, from 
TENNEESSEE and bought that leetle patch of land up 
there,” indicating the direction with his index finger, then 
continued sarcastically, “I reckon it's about the poorest spot 
anywheres around here.” 

“She’s lucky. I suppose she’s worth about five thou- 
sand dollars now !,” rejoined the friend. 

“Naw — she’s as poor as Jobe’s turkey!” the old man 
retorted jeeringly. He had often boasted of his place being 
the most fertile. 

“But the land, Mr. Jestice, is worth thousands of dol- 
lars just now — that is, it will be before long,” insisted the 
friend earnestly. 

“How’s that?” the old man asked alertly, his interest 
at last being aroused. 

“Well, if the Traction Corporation puts its line through 
here, as there has been considerable talk about it, the track 
will have to cut straight across her land. An electric line 
through here to Biltmore would pay, I expect.” 

The gossiper’s explanation was very clear and convinc- 
ing, and Teddy Jestice listened very eagerly to every word 
of it. Then as his wife appeared in the door and called him 
to supper, he said, “Yes, I expect the land will be worth 
some money, accordin’ to that.” Then turning, he left the 
man at the gate and walked into the house. The gossiper 
went his way. 

Up there in the hollow, almost in exile from the rest 
of the houses on McDowell Street, yet in sight and near 
enough to be in the same neighborhood, stood Ida Smith’s 
lonely one-room cabin — the afore-spoken-of “WIDDER 
WOMAN.” She was standing in the door, on this partic- 
ular summer evening, and the gentle summer breeze was 
brushing back the stray locks of black hair from her fore- 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


7 


head. She was tall and slender. Her snappy black eyes 
searched the path which led from her house down to 
McDowell Street. Her gaze was apparently expectant, 
as though she was looking for a visitor. But it was not 
that; she was simply interested in a bevy of wrestling boys 
and trying to make out if her son Dick was among them. 
Assuring herself that he was not, she left the door to 
resume some household task. 

It had only been a year since she had moved there, com- 
ing from a little logging camp over in the mountains of 
East Tennessee, bringing with her a son whose years 
numbered sixteen and whose lungs were weak. (Note — 
Ashville’s reputation as a health resort is widely known. 
People from all over the United States go there, seeking 
the aid of physicians who specialize in the treatment of 
tuberculosis.) She bought and paid in full, the sum of 
five hundred dollars, for the little old weather-boarded hut 
and the meager bit of land surrounding it. She worked 
about, here and there over town, doing odd jobs for first 
one family and then another. Some days she would do 
house cleaning ; other days she would do washings. One 
day out of each week she would do Mrs. Jestice’s wash. In 
short, she was a drudge of all work. 

Standing in her front door, she could almost look 
directly into the house of Landis Murry, on McDowell 
Street, through his back entrance. 

Land's Murry was a widower — tall, sandy-haired, and 
always wore a corduroy suit and cap. He was known as 
the most princely man in the neighborhood. In appearance, 
he was a fatherly sort of a man. 

His most valuable ppssession was a daughter, just 
fifteen years of age, and whose name was Lily. Landis 
took but very little interest in his charming daughter, 
and little realized that if she lived she would develop into 
one of the most adorable women imaginable. 

Lily was all her name implied. Blue eyes, silver hair, 
cheeks like roses, lovely, fair and sweet. She always 


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went barefoot during the summer months and wore a 
blue calico dress, Every afternoon she would go up to 
Ida Smith’s and she and Dick would go over in the pines 
on the hill behind the cabin and gather great armfuls of 
the dead limbs from the trees, carry them home and burn 
them for wood. 

They had lingered rather late in the pines this summer 
afternoon, and were now hurrying homeward with their 
burdens. When they reached the Smith cabin, Dick threw 
his wood down in the front yard and halloed to his mother, 
“Mamma, I’m going to help Lil get her wood home !” 

“Well, but don’t tarry long ; supper’s nearly ready.” 
she answered him, giving her permission. 

“A’right,” responded Dick, and then took Lily’s wood 
under his arm and they were off down the path, express- 
ing themselves in a steady stream of babbling talk. 

Childhood dreams, fancies and ambitions are peculiar 
and sometimes seem almost ridiculous. Dick had a little 
creed all his own that he believed in. He believed that God 
was a supreme power. He believed that God would entail 
justice to the weak and poor, and that He would ensconce 
them when danger threatened. And his last, but not least 
important belief was, that man should love woman and 
woman should love man; and if they made a promise to 
each other they should consider it sacred and never break 
it. Now, the fact stands that Lily and Dick had made a 
promise to each other, and that promise was, that no matter 
what happened, when they grew up they would get mar- 
ried. Nothing could interfere with their plans for the 
future. Their vow was sacred, and the seal of honor 
stamped upon it, with words from their own precious lips. 

“I’m going to be the President or somethin’ or other 
big,” exploded Dick. 

“Yep, and you’re gonna get married to a swell dame and 
hire me to be your house-maid,” Lily agreed, and then 
went on, “My mamma used to be a house-maid for a swell 
lady who lived over on Monford Avenue, and she told me 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


9 


all about it. I think I would like to be one a'right." Some 
mysterious, invisible power seemed to hush their voices. 
They were both silent as they trodded on, side by side, 
sometimes in the path, but more often in the grass at its 
sides. Dick was walking with his head hung and seemed 
to be in a very deep study. The situation looked very grave. 

At length they came to an abrupt halt in the back yard 
of Lily's home, and Dick threw down the wood upon the 
ground. He looked up alertly and stared straight into 
the eyes of Lily. Taking a deep breath of pure fresh air, 
he exhaled deliberately. Then a faint smile radiated out 
upon his face from his lips and a strange light shown in his 
eyes. Slowly his lips parted. 

“Lily, you aint goin' back on your word, are you?’' 

"Well Dick, if you got to be President of the United 
States, you wouldn't care to have me for a wife." 

“Now look here Lily, what ever put that into your 
head? No matter what I ever get to be, you're goin' to be 
my wife," he assured her. There were a few moments of 
silence. 

She had stooped and picked up the axe and was cut- 
ing the dead limbs of wood into lengths that would easily 
fit into the cook stove. Dick took the axe out of her hand 
as he said, “Don't your pap never cut no wood? If I had 
a daughter like you, I wouldn't let her cut wood. My 
mamma don't never have to cut no wood — I won't let 
her." His tone was rather boastful He began cutting at 
the limbs, only to be immediately niterrupted by Lily with 
a few remindful words : 

“Lordy, your mamma will be coming after you for 
stayin' like this. You better go home.” 

He handed her the axe and turned to start home, but 
paused for a moment as he saw the blurred figure of a man 
come across from McDowell Street and start up the path 
to where he lived. Then starting toward the figure, he 
called out, “You all goin' up my way?" 

“Yeah," snapped the old man, whom Dick recognized 


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as Mr. Jestice. The boy and the man took long strides and 
walked “sheep fashion” as they talked. 

“How much did your ma pay for this land, boy?” in- 
quired Jestice. 

“Five hundred dollars,” Dick explained, after a brief 
silence. Dick was wondering why old Billy was going up 
to his house at this time of the day and what for. He just 
couldn’t imagine; but if he would have been down in Jes- 
tfce’s dining room an hour previous, he would have heard 
his answer. 

Mr. Jestice had gone in to supper, and while he and his 
wife ate with relish, he related the prospects of the Traction 
Corporation running an electric railway line through the 
widow Smith’s property to Biltmore. Furthermore, he 
believed that on such an occasion, the land would be worth 
about five thousand dollars. Mrs. Jestice very readily 
grasped an idea of how to make some easy coin and urged 
her husband to go straight up to Mrs. Smith’s and try to 
purchase the property. 

Very soon Jestice and Dick filed into the one-room hut, 
where an oil lamp burned brightly on the supper table. 
Mrs. Smith’s table was set scantily, but even as poor food 
as it was, it was cooked good and everything was clean. 
She had just sat down and began to eat, having become im- 
patient and not caring to wait for Dick. She got up and 
politely offered Mr. Jestice a chair. Dick went straight to 
the wash-basin and began bathing his face and hands. 
Jestice accepted the proffered chair and sat down. 

“How’s yourself and Mrs. Jestice today?” asked Mrs. 
Smith, sociably. 

“Oh, we are about as well as usual,” he answered. 

“Won’t you have some supper?” 

“No, thanks I jest eat afore cornin’ up,” he explained. 

Dick’s task of washing his face and hands completed, 
he sat down to the table and began doing justice to the 
steaming food by helping himself profusely to the mashed 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


11 


potatoes. As Mrs. Smith sat down to the table and resumed 
her eating, Jestice began: 

“Mrs. Smith, I want to buy your leetle place here.” 

“It ain’t for sale,” she assured him quickly. 

“I thought you might take a thousand dollars for it, see- 
ing that you only paid five hundred to begin with,” he 
went on further to explain, calling her attention to the fact 
that he was offering to her as an inducement to sell, five 
hundred dollars profit. 

“No more than a thousand dollars !” she exclaimed, 
staring at him inquisitively. 

“Yeah. That’s all I’d pay and I thought you would 
be mighty glad to get it off your hands for that !” There 
was just the least bit of anger in his tone. 

“I aint wantin’ to hurt your feelin’s, Mr. Jestice, but 
I aint wantin’ to give my home away. This here leetle 
place is all I got between God and me, and I aint goin’ to 
sell.” Her tone was irony. 

“Tell you what I’ll do — I’ll give you two thousand dol- 
ars, and that’s all !” His offer sure listened good, but the 
sudden raise he made in his price, startled Mrs. Smith to 
the extent that she feared his object behind it all w r as to 
cheat her out of the little place. 

“And why do you want to buy this worthless place?” 
She shot a piercing glance straight at him with those snappy 
black eyes of her’s. He withered and almost broke down 
under her impulsive question. But getting his wits to- 
gether, he stammered : 

“W-w-well, seein’ as t-t-he market for t-t-turnips is 
goin’ to be good next summer, I want it to raise turnips 
on.” He breathed a sigh of relief. 

“Well, if there is going to be so much money in TUR- 
NIPS next summer, Mr. Jestice, I expect I had better keep 
this place and raise ’em myself.” She was looking him 
straight in the eyes. “No, I won’t sell, Mr. Jestice!” He 
got up and went to the door, pausing for a moment, he 
turned and looked back at them, as he said sharply: 


12 


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“I wouldn’t give you forty cents for it now !” With that, 
he went out of the door, and with uncertain steps ; for it 
was fastly growing dark ; he wended his way back down 
the path to McDowell street. 

“Goin’ to raise turnips. Well, that was about the poor- 
est excuse I ever heard a man give for wantin’ to buy 
somethin.” She sat erect, placed her hands on her hips, 
bobbed her head from first one side to the other, and then 
continued, "A swell business head he thinks he’s got. But 
I guess I let him know I was about as smart as him. I 
know he’s a good cheater, a’right, but he can’t cheat me.” 

“Yep!” agreed Dick with a nod of his head, and just 
as he neared his mouth with an extremely large bite of 
potatoes, he said hurriedly, “and wasn’t he nervous?” 

THE CORDUROY PRINCE 

PART II 

THE HOUSE OF SILENCE 

Monford avenue, in another quarter of the city, and 
almost on the opposite side from McDowell street, are 
Asheville’s homes aristocrat. 

Two blocks down on the right, from the big brick 
Monford avenue school house, you will find the sinewly 
rich home of James Wilburn, president of the Traction 
Corporation. A beautiful home it is, both on the inside 
and out, and furnished to the taste of a king. But for 
twelve long years, the space within the walls of this home 
has been qiiiet and silent as death. 

Too many times, as we look upon these homes, without 
stopping for a moment’s contemplation, but judging them 
from outwardly appearances, we pass them by as being 
homes of happiness. 

But frankly, wealth isn’t everything. There are ad- 
verse conditions in the lives of every human being. It is 
a part of nature ; it simply is and cannot be otherwise. 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


13 


But if you will stop for a moment and think of a home of 
this type as being dormant — as being the dominion occu- 
pied by cold, dreadful, deathly silence for a term of twelve 
years, you will shudder, and immediately come to the con- 
clusion that wealth alone is not happiness. 

A limousine, driven up the long gravel driveway, stopped 
abruptly in front of the home of James Wilburn, and a 
m'ddle aged woman, well dressed, got out and went into 
the house. It was Mrs. James Wilburn, and upon her face 
were indelible lines of sadness, the result of twelve years 
of grievance. 

In the library sat Mr. Wilburn in an easy chair, in a deep, 
obscure mood of depression ; in aspect, a nan of kindness. 
Slightly gray about the temples and clean shaven, but 
sorrow surrounded him. But out of it all, there spread an 
unforced smile upon his face. It seemed that a memory of 
a long ago happiness had been awakened. When his wife 
entered the room, he got up and went to her with an ex- 
pectant gaze. But when he saw the sad expression dom- 
inating her countenance, his eyes fell sorrowfully to her 
hands that were holding a flower. He took her into his 
embrace and kissed her affectionately. Then looking down 
into her face, he began gloomily: 

“My dear, I was just thinking what an unhappy anni- 
versary of our wedding day.” 

“Yes,” she answered with a soft tone of kindness. 

“Tell me, Nettie, have you heard no news of him?” He 
had his arm about her shoulders and they were walking 
towards the big arm-chair. She sat down in the chair 
and he rested himself on the arm of it. Low, delicate, 
sweet notes from a piano in the music room, drifted in 
through the open door to them. Mrs. Wilburn looked up 
into the face of her husband, as she shook her head gently 
in the negative degree and said with tear-stained eyes : 

“No, James, the detectives have searched every hole 
and corner of the United States where a human being could 


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possibly exist, and have found nothing ; and now, they have 
given up all hopes.” 

“Nettie, I never think of that awful night but that it 
brings me a lot of inward grief/’ He drew his eyebrows 
together, and his forehead wrinkled into a slight frown. 
That sentence he had repeated many times. 

“I understand, James. You did not know that he was 
my brother; that is why you were jealous. Because he 
was a jail-bird, I tried to keep you from knowing his true 
identity.” Many times he had soothed his fevered, dis- 
tracted brain with this explanation, assuring him of her 
complete forgiveness. 

“A jealous fool I was, Nettie,” he paused — then, “but 
do you suppose he could have been the man?” 

“Yes, I am certain; because I would not give him 
money, he did it for vengeance.” The high, keen notes 
from the piano, denoting the end of a well rendered com- 
position, almost muffled her low, trembling voice. Mr. 
Wilburn aros eand assisted her to her feet, and with his 
arm about her, they walked slowly into the music room. 

Here they came upon Mae Morris, a ward of the Wil- 
burn’s, sitting there at the piano with her back to them. She 
was young, beautiful, charming and portrayed just the 
least bit of French. She had lived with them since child- 
hood, endeavoring to bring comfort to them in their great 
sorrow. But even she, with her beauty and lovely dispo- 
sition, could not fill the empty spot in their hearts. To 
please them she would sacrifice every happiness in the 
world, and had often said in their presence, that even as 
young as she was, there was no man on earth who could find 
his way to her heart and make her love him. But, of course, 
that was just a plain assertion she made, thinking it would 
please the Wilburns. Even should the gate to her heart 
be locked so tightly and the key destroyed, surely there 
are expert locksmiths who could open it. 

In a mirror that hung on the wall, directly above the 
piano, she saw the reflection of Mr. and Mrs. Wilburn be- 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


15 


hind her. She was immediately aware of their presence 
and jumped up, throwing her arms about Mrs. Wilburn’s 
neck and kissing her. Just at that particular moment, the 
door bell interrupted them. 

With an expectant gaze, they diverted their attention 
upon the music room door. They did not have to wait 
long, for very soon, a much younger woman than Mrs. 
Wilburn was ushered into the room by Ebner, an old dar- 
key, long in the services of the Wilburns. The lady was 
leading by her hand, a little girl of five. Mrs. Wilburn 
went forth meeting the woman and they kissed. Then 
she stopped, and taking the baby into her arms, kissed her. 
There was a good, sociable hand shaking between Mae, 
Mr. Wilburn and the newcomer. Mrs. Wilburn stared at 
the baby with a strange light in her eyes It was the light 
f motherly love. With a grave expression upon her face, 
she pressed the baby in her arms, close to her, and turning 
to the woman, who was her sister, she said: 

“Carrie, you are very happy, I know.” 

“Yes, very happy, Nettie. But now, you are going to 
be happy also, for Dolly and I have come to stay two whole 
weeks with you.” Those were kind, sweet words from 
Carrie and brought a little smile of wistfulness to the lips 
of Mrs. Wilburn. 

“And, by the way,” continued Carrie, “you know I do 
not like to dwell upon the subject much, but have you 
heard no news from him?” There was a little flush of 
embarrassment in her cheeks. 

“No, nothing. The detectives have given up all hopes 
now.” Mrs. Wilburn answered as she shook her head 
sadly. She was trembly and weak, but when she felt her 
husband’s arm about her shoulders, and the little kind 
squeeze which had always meant so much to her, it seemed 
to give her new strength and she was steady again. Then 
when he whispered softly into her ear : 

“We won’t give up, will we dear?” she felt a little more 
a tease and replied : 


16 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


“Never, dear, because I know he lives !” 

“Supposing, dear, you found him a sordid derelict in 
a very disreputable place, could you love him then as you 
once did?” asked Mr. Wilburn. 

“Dear, if I were in heaven and my baby in hell, I would 
leave heaven and go to hell seeking my own.” 

“I certainly hope you will not have to be put to so 
severe a test.” He tried to correct the hasty sentence 
which he had spoken. 

THE CORDUROY PRINCE 

Part III 

DARK CLOUDS HOVER 

Not satisfied with the outcome of his interview with 
Mrs. Smith, Mr. Jestice went back home and related the 
preceding events to his wife. 

“Why don’t you talk to Landis Murry? He’s a widower 
and a prince among the women of this neighborhood,” 
suggested Mrs. Jestice. 

“You mean — get him to marry her and then — ?” 

“Sure !” she interrupted him, for she was positive he 
comprehended. 

“It ain’t late. Guess I’ll go over and talk to him. Sor- 
ter — jest happened to be passin’ and dropped i ( h — you 
know.” Then a strained bit of gurgling mirth from deep 
in his throat, followed the words. 

“That’s it. Go!” urged Mrs. Jestice. 

He got up and went out of the house. He walked about 
aimlessly for a few moments under the corner arc, then 
went over across the street to Landis Murry’s house, 
stepped heavily on the front porch and knocked on the 
open door. Landis answered the summons himself. 

“I was sorter restless to-night and jest says to Dortb 
'believe I’ll drop over to Landis Murry’s and talk a while,’ 
and Dorth says, 'go if you want to,’ and here I am,” Jestice 
explained as he was ushered into the parlor. 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


17 


“Glad to have you come over, Mr. Jestice,” welcomed 
Landis, and then continued, “Find a chair and make your- 
self comfortable.” Jestice accepted a chair that Landis 
pushed up to the center table and sat down. He could hear 
Lily in the kitchen washing the supper dishes ; but to him, 
she was just what he thought all women ought to be — a 
slave. 

“By the way, Landis, how’d you like to make a few 
easy dollars?” questioned Jestice. Landis stared at him 
amazed. What did stingy old Teddy Jestice have to offer 
him that he could make a few easy dollars at?. He laughed 
a little haughtily and then replied, “Easy dollars ! I ain't 
never made no easy dollars in MY life. I alius had to work 
for ’em !” 

“I’m in earnest, Landis — HONEST I am !” with a lot 
of emphasis on the word “honest” 

“Well then, what’s your game?” Landis folded his 
arms across his chest and grinned a little contemptuously. 

“Well, there’s no use of me goin’ into T>E-TAIL , 
about it. It’s like this — The Traction Company’s goin’ 
to run a line through the widder Smith’s property to Bilt- 
more. Now, her property will be wo’th some money — see ! 
Now, I was thinkin’ if I could buy her land — but she won’t 
sell for no amount of money. Then, thinks I, she might 
sell for love. So, says I to myself, “Landis Murry’s the 
Prince of this neighborhood, and he could marry her as easy 
as failin’ off a log.” Now Landis, you marry her, get her 
deeds and sell me the property for two thousand dollars. 
You don’t have to live with her then — just take the money 
and leave.” Jestice, in these few words disclosed his en- 
tire plot to Landis. 

“O, I see — you want to make a thief of ME, eh?” Landis 
laughed outright. 

“Now see here, Landis, by law you wouldn’t be a thief 
I have studied law to some extent and I know what is and 
what ain’t. The property would be as much yours as it 
would hers. 


18 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


“It sure listens good, Mr. Jestice, but I ain't never beat 
no poor widder woman out of nothin'." Even as brutal 
as Landis seemed, he had a soft spot in his heart, some- 
where. His expression now changed and he was serious 
and grave. He bit his lips and ran his hands down deep 
into his pants pockets, and walked in a circle around the 
center table. Drawing his eye-brows together in the mid- 
dle of his forehead, he shot a sharp glance at Jestice as 
he asked: 

“Are you right sure you'd buy the property?" 

“Most sartain. Are you on for the deal?" 

“Yep, but it takes fine clothes to go a sparkin' in, and 
it takes money to buy fine clothes with." He was hinting 
for an advancement. 

“Well, ain't you got no money a tall?" questioned Jes- 
tice. 

“Now, you know as I said, it takes money to buy fine 
clothes with and a workin' man ain't got much," rejoined 
Landis. 

Jestice got up and took out his pocket book from his 
hip pocket. Opening it, he took out several bills, and, hand- 
ing them to Landis, said : 

“Well, here's fifty dollars, but bear in mind, it’s to come 
outin' the money I pay for the property." 

“Yep," agreed Landis, then added, “thank ye," as he 
followed Billy Jestice to the door and let him out. 

Thusly the pact was sealed between them and Landis 
Murry was to go about making preparations to court and 
marry the “Widder Smith." 

The next day Landis Murry did not go to work. He 
went straight to town and down to Finklestein's clothing 
store on South Main street. Old Finklestein was standing 
in his store door, urging passers-by to step in and examine 
his wares. 

“Mike, have you got any dudish clothes here cheap?" 
inquired Landis. 

“Step right in! Step right in! We have everythink 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


19 


stylish/’ Mike assured him with a little shrug of his 
shoulders. 

Landis went in and looked over an assortment of cheap 
suits. He tried on coat after coat, and every one was a 
fit, and looked so becoming, because Mike Finklestein said 
so. Landis bought a cheap, green suit, that was almost 
two numbers too small for him, but which Mike said was 
a perfect fit, that it must have been made especially for 
him, and so stylish-like; a pair of tan shoes and a hat. 
Then he went home and spread his purchases out upon the 
bed. 

Lily went in and gazed at them, awe stricken. Very 
careful and shyly did she touch them ; then jerked her 
hand away as if her fingers had come in contact with some 
red-hot object. She was sad, like a disappointed child who 
had been expecting something and had failed to receive it. 
She wasn’t exactly envious of her father’s new things, but 
as a large tear rolled down each of her rosy cheeks she 
was prompted by something within her to say : 

“Pap, I ain’t had a new dress in Lord knows when!” 

That afternoon Lily went up to Mrs. Smith’s, and she 
and Dick went over in the pines on the hill. As they gath- 
ered the dead limbs, they talked at random. Once, when 
they sat down, Lily commented. 

“My pap’s been buying a whole lot of fine clothes.” 
She cast her eyes about sadly, digging her bare heels into 
the soft earth. Dick looked at her for a moment, noting 
the sadness, and then said : 

“He has?” 

“Yep,” she answered, then added, “and I aint had a 
new dress in Lord knows when.” 

Dick dropped his head. Reaching forward, he plucked 
a blade of green grass. Placing it between his two thumbs, 
he blew vigorously at it. The result was a squealing 
noise. Then looking straight at Lily, he said: 

“What would you say, Lily, if I bought you a new 
dress ?” 


20 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


“My gracious, Dick, I’d say ‘thank ye/ and give you 
a kiss to boot! ,, As she smiled, she looked at him, her eyes 
a-sparkling. It made Dick feel good to know that his 
words had pleased her. He smiled too. Then the happy 
glow died from her face, and the red rays from the setting 
sun which shown through a rift of foliage over them, lit 
her face. 

“Dick, Fm afraid pap wouldn't let me wear a dress you 
bought." She broke the silence. 

“That don’t make any difference, Lily. I’ll buy the 
dress and we can hide it here in the pines ; then when we 
come over here, you can wear it,’’ he explained. 

“But Dick, where are you going to get the money?" 
It seemed that neither had thought of this barrier. Dick 
was calm and studied a little, and then replied : 

“I know, I’ll boot-leg liquor for Jim Ricket. He’ll 
give me a dollar on every pint I sell, and I know where 
I can sell five pints. One to Bomber Lusk, two to — ’’ 

“But Dick, wouldn’t that be an awful sin ; and what if 
they would catch up with you?" she interrupted him. 

“No," he said, “it wouldn’t be a sin to do anything for 
you. Fm gonna get you a new dress, Lily — Fm gonna do 
it." 

They arose to their feet and stood and stared at each 
other. Dick went up close to Lily and put his arm about 
her shoulder. She was breathing hard. What a strange 
feeling had crept over them ! He was about to press his 
lips close to hers. At first she didn’t seem to care ; she 
didn’t resist him the least bit. Then her face flushed red 
as she pushed him away from her, saying: 

“No sir, Dick, that aint fair. I don’t pay no duns in 
advance." 

Gathering up their collection of wood under their arms, 
they started for home. 

When Lily got home, she found her father sitting in 
the parlor at the center table. He was writing a note to 
the “WIDDER." It was a kind, sweet note — a sort of an 
invitation to take her to a dance over on the other side of 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 




“BEAU CATCHER” mountain. He wrote slowly and 
studied long over it, trying to make no mistakes in gram- 
mar or spelling. The note read. 

Dear widder Smith : 

There's goin' to be a frolic over on tother side of Bo 
Ketcher Wednesday nite. Now what I most want to no 
is will you go with me? 

Your true fren, 

Landis Murry 

Giving the note to Lily, he sent her up to Ida Smith's 
with it. Ida was minus an education and Lily wasn't any 
better off, so she summoned Dick, and commanded him to 
read it . When he had finished, he and Lillian stared at 
each other and not a word was spoken. 

The widow's black eyes sparkled and she looked about 
frantically. She searched here and there and everywhere 
until she found a tablet which she brought to Dick, saying : 

“Write what I tell you on that.'' 

Dick looked up at her questioningly and said, “How 
can I write without a pencil?” 

“O, I ought to had sense enough to know that.” Then 
she began another frantic search. She looked in the cup- 
board and on the top of it. Finally finding one in a vase 
on the fire-board, she took it to Dick and began dictating 
hurriedly : 

“My dear friend” — she stopped abruptly and began 
to study. Then, seizing Dick by the shoulder, she con- 
tinued, “O, Dick, can't you tell him in a decent way that 
I'll go?” 

Dick began to write. He wasn't going to write and tell 
Landis Murry that she accepted his invitation. No, indeed, 
he would write a hateful offending note and “bless him 
out.” But Dick did not finish the note, for his mother in- 
terrupted him. Turning to Lily she said, “I've got it — 
just tell your pappy that I'll be delighted to go with him. ’ 

With that, Lily went out of the cabin. Dick followed 
her and walked a short distance down the path with her. 
They were both sullen and silent. 


22 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


“There’s sure strange things happening. My pap’s been 
actin’ awful funny; buyin’ all them dudeish clothes this 
mornin’ and writin’ that note to your mamma.” 

“Yep, and let’s go to that frolic too,” suggested Dick. 

“A’right,” agreed Lily. 

When Wednesday night came, Landis dressed in all 
those fine clothes and went up to the widow’s. He found 
her dressed in her best — a well-worn black sateen skirt 
and waist. Lily and Dick were standing in the yard. 

Dick went into the house and said to his mother, 
“Mamma, me and Lily wants to go with you all to the 
frolic.” 

“No, you all had better stay home tonight,” broke in 
Landis with a dark scowl, before Mrs. Smith had a chance 
to speak. 

“No, I guess we hadn’t. We got as much right as any- 
body,” insisted Dick. 

“Now, Dick,” began Mrs. Smith in a tone of authority, 
“You all are goin’ to stay home. You are goin’ to obey 
me. Do you hear?” 

“Well, mamma, I aint never done nothin’ you told me 
not to, but me and Lil’s goin’ to ’tend that frolic tonight.” 
His tone was just the least bit impertinent. Then quick 
as a flash, Mrs. Smith slapped Dick on the cheek with her 
open palm. He didn’t cry ; he was too much of a man ; but 
he swelled with anger, and pouted. It was the first time 
he and his mother had ever quarreled. He went out and 
leaned against the corner of the house sullenly. Lily went 
and stood by his side, expressing her deep sympathy for 
him through her eyes, for she began to cry. There was 
a full moon and it shown in her face. Dick could see 
plainly, the big tears in her eyes. He took her into his 
arms and pressed her head gently to his bosom and she 
wept bitterly. Then they heard their parents come from 
the house and saw them leave down the path. 

“Let’s show ’em a thing or two. Let’s go to that frolic 
anyway,” ventured Dick madly. 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


23 


“A’right. L-Le-e-let’s show 'em !” agreed Lily, snub- 
bing. It was just the encouraging words that Dick needed 
to spur him to victory. He was stubborn, he WOULD 
go, regardless of the consequences, and with that the boy 
and girl started off in persuit of their superiors. 

At Gillum’s house, just across Beau Catcher, there had 
gathered quite a few people. They were mostly all rough 
and illiterate, and seemed to have come from everywhere 
about in the Black Mountains. There was a lot of buzzing 
talk and stamping of feet in the room which had been 
cleared of all furniture. Sudden outbursts of mirth rang 
out upon the still night air. 

Landis Murry and Ida Smith had gotten there ahead 
of Lily and Dick. Dick sullen and Lily’s eyes red from 
crying, they went in. Mrs. Smith’s snappy black eyes 
opened wide and her face glowed with anger when she 
saw them. Going to Dick, she said: 

“I’m goin’ to thrash you good in the morning for not 
obeyin’ me !” 

Dick shoved his hands deep into his pants pockets and 
looked away insignificantly. Mrs. Smith’s eyes danced 
with rage. Landis cut his eyes around sharply at Lily, 
which was enough to let her know what she would get. 

Then the musicians entered with their instruments. 
They had come rather late, and because everyone had been 
waiting in anxiety for them, they were very popular for a 
few minutes. They were proud men, and knew they played 
the most important part of the party. Without them, there 
could be no dance. There was Will Helton and his brother, 
Ozzy, with their guitar and “fiddle,” and Fred Jenkins 
with his “banjer.” They tuned up and played, “Cumberland 
Gap,” “Sourwood Mountain” and “Shake That Little Foot, 
Sally Ann,” while the other guests lined up and went 
through a reel. Landis Murry and Ida Smith were partners 
and they wouldn’t dance with anyone else. 


24 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


The string orchestra broke into “Turkey In the Straw” 
and Landis and Ida “pigeon-winged” together. Gosh ! It 
was a sight how they danced and shuffled their feet. They 
scored a big hit, and everybody applauded generously in 
appreciation ; and they didn’t stop dancing — just kept it up 
Lily and Dick sat in one corner, sullen. Lily leaned ove* 
and whispered in Dick’s ear : 

“Think their somethin’, don’t they?” 

“Yep, let’s show ’em they aint in it,” answered Dick. 

“A’right,” agreed Lily. 

They stood up. Dick took Lily by the hand and led her 
out into the middle of the floor. They did the “buck and 
wing” and danced so fast it made them dizzy. Dick’s 
mother and Lily’s father stopped and sidled off to one 
side, panting for breath. Then the music stopped abruptly. 
Lily and Dick looked about, surprised, and waited for the 
applause due them. No one seemed to be paying them 
any attention. There were several ungrateful, unappreci- 
ating, haughty laughs from the onlookers. Dick and Lily 
stared at each other awe-stricken, their faces red and 
burning with embarrassment. Then they heard a coarse, 
masculine voice in the crowd called out : 

“Hey ! yuse kids, get offn that floor so’s we kin see the 
widder dance.” 

Lily and Dick slunk back to their seats, almost ready 
to burst nto sobs. Did they not have a friend in the whole 
world? Why had they acted so unwisely and made such 
a silly mistake? Then if they cried, the music drowned 
their sighs. The widow and Landis were again on the 
floor dancing and scored another big hit. It was now 
being whispered from ear to ear, through the crowd, that 
the widder was the best lookin’ woman in the whole bunch. 
Men and women then joi'ned hands, making a circle around 
Ida and Landis, as the musicians struck up “Old Doc Jones.” 
They all began singing as they walked around them, keep- 
ing step with the music : 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


25 


“Old Doc Jones was a fine old man; 

A fine old man, a fine old man — 

He never told a lie. 

Ladies and gentlemen fly around ; 

Fly around, fly around ; 

And kiss just who you please.” 

A dozen times or more, during the course of that game, 
Landis Murry and Ida Smith kissed each other, and Lily 
and Dick did not fail to observe the fact either. At two 
o’clock, the dance came to a definite close, and the crowd 
dispersed and everybody went home. 

The next morning Dick awakened early and got out of 
bed and dressed. Sitting on the side of the bed, he re- 
viewed the preceding events of last night. Every inci- 
dent was vivid and clear. Those very unhappy moments, 
when he and Lily had danced together and made such a 
failure. Then he remembered what his mother had told 
him about the whipping. He knew she would do it, for 
never had she told him a lie about a thing. He was curious 
and sort of anxious to have the advenutre. Well, he thought 
he could stand a whipping all right, for it wouldn’t last 
forever, but he couldn’t stand to think of being thrown 
out of his mother’s heart for Landis Murry. Then he 
thought of Lily and what would be her fate. If Landis 
did anything harshly to Lily, he would kill him ; he would 
not stand to see Lily mistreated. 

All through the breakfast hour Dick did not speak a 
word to his mother or she to him. After she had finished 
her breakfast, she went out of the house and returned with 
a long hickory. Dick knew what it meant. 

“Dick,” she began, breaking the silence between them, 
“It hurts me more to do this than it does you. But I got 
to correct you for not obeyin’ me last night.” 

“If you are goin’ to lick me and try to show off, just 
because Landis Murry’s sparkin’ you, I’m leavin’ home for 
good!” Dick was sullen and spoke angrily, as he got up 
from the table and stepped over to the foot of a bed. 


26 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


Three stinging licks fell upon his almost bare back. O, 
how they did smart. He had never known how a whipping 
felt. He never cried a whimper, but turning, he grabbed 
the hickory out of his mother’s hand and broke it into three 
pieces. Throwing it on the floor he stamped it with both 
feet. Looking up into his mother’s face, with raging eyes 
and temper hot to the utmost degree, he said : 

“Mamma, I reckon I’m gettin’ too much growed up for 
you to beat on me like that ! I ain’t a standin’ for no more 
of it!” 

Leaving her standing there, defeated, he went out of 
the house and down the path to McDowell street. He 
stood leaning against the Jestice fence on the corner. In 
the door of the Jestice home appeared Mrs. Jestice, who 
halloed out to him : . 

“Get off that fence, you’ll break it down!” 

He would have made a few remarks, far different from 
Sunday-school words, and would have told her what he 
thought of her, had he known how. Looking up he saw 
Lily over on her front porch sweeping it. He beckoned 
to her, but she shook her head negatively. Why wouldn’t 
she com to him, he wondered. Then his answer appeared 
in the door. It was Landis, and Dick understood. 

Just at that moment, a sinewly rich automobile drove 
up and stopped directly on the corner. There were sev- 
eral well dressed men in the car and a little baby girl. It 
was James Wilburn and his sister-in-law’s baby, Dolly. 
Mr. Wilburn and the other men, who were representatives 
of the company, had come down to look over the widow’s 
property. 

“Would it be wise to make her an offer, this morning?” 
asked one. 

“No,” spoke Mr. Wilburn, “wait until the board meets 
and the matter is discussed more fully in detail.” As they 
got out of the car, he turned to the chauffeur and said : 
“You will keep a sharp lookout for Dolly while I am look- 
ing over the property.” 

“Yes sir!” the chauffeur nodded, but no sooner had Mr. 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


27 


Wilburn turned his back than the stupid chauffeur took a 
dime novel from his coat pocket and began to read. Doll/ 
called out : 

“Hurry back, Uncle James!” 

Mr. Wilburn, turning, put his finger tips to his lips and 
blew her a kiss, then resumed his steps forward up the 
path. Old man Jestice saw them, and coming out to his 
gate, watched them with eager eyes. 

A few moments passed and the little girl seemed to 
grow lonesome and impatient from waiting. She opened 
the door and got out of the car and down into the street. 
The chauffeur was so intensely interested in his story 
book that he did not see her. 

Up the street toward Johnson’s store, Dick heard a 
loud yell from a number of persons. Then looking in that 
direction he saw a cloud of dust being left behind a speed- 
ing automobile. It was approaching them. He looked up 
the path and saw Mr. Wilburn coming on a run. Looking 
back up the street toward the fastly approaching car, he 
thought, “a bunch of drunks, joy riding.” It didn’t take 
the second glance for him to see the dilemma which Dolly 
had placed herself in. She was well contented, absorbed 
in the strange surrounding and unaware of the danger. 
Like a shot, Dick jumped forward, grabbed the child in 
his arms and dashed to the opposite side of the street, as 
the joy riders sped past. Then Mr. Wilburn came up, 
breathless, and taking the baby in his arms, set her in the 
car. He and Dick both let their eyes follow the racing 
car, on out to Southside avenue. Then they turned and 
stared at each other. Dick snatched his cap from his 
head, as a smile stole upon his lips, and he was prompted 
to make the remark : 

“Gosh, mister, that man was sure some drunk !” 

Mr. Wilburn was pale from fright. The other men 
came up and congratulated Dick upon his heroism. Mr. 
Wilburn offered: 

“In appreciation for all you have done, I will educate 
and mke a man of you.” 


28 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


“Thanks, mister ; I don’t care for the education ; to hold 
that kiddie in my arms one minute is pay enough for me/' 
was Dick’s response. 

“But here, my boy, is my address ; if you ever need a 
friend come to me.” Whereupon, Mr. Wilburn took a 
card from his pocket and handed it to Dick. 

“Thank you,” replied Dick politely. Mr. Wilburn got 
into the car and as it drove off, Dolly waved back a fare- 
well good-bye to him. Dick then read the name and 
address on the card : 

MR. JAMES WILBURN 
President Asheville Ry. & Power Co. 

It was Tuesday afternoon. Lily had gone up to the 
widow’s cabin and she and Dick had just reached the pines 
to gather wood. As they neared a hollow tree, Dick 
stopped, commanding Lily to do likewise. He told her to 
shut her eyes, because he had a little surprise for her. 
She obeyed his orders and waited in anxiety. 

Putting his hand into the tree, he took out a package ; 
undoing it, he held it up before him, a dress, a beautiful 
garment. (Note : In those days, clothing was considerably 
cheaper than at the present time.) Then he told Lily to 
uncover her eyes and look. She did so and stood with 
wide open eyes, staring at it in bewilderment. Breathing 
hard, she put out her hand and touched it. It was real, 
and the happiest moment of her life. Turning to Dick, 
she murmured: 

“Dick, is it mine; is it really mine for a kiss?” 

“Yes,” sad Dick thoughtlessly, for he was bubbling over 
with happiness. 

“How’d you get it Dick, and what store did you buy * 
it at?” she asked hurriedly. 

“I sold liquor and bought it,” he asserted. 

As he handed her the dress, they came close together 
and he kissed her. The sweetest moment of his life had 
come and passed, as in a mere twinkle. She had not dis- 
trusted him that day, when she told him she paid no bills 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


29 


in advance, but had simply prolonged these sensational 
moments. Then she put the dress on. She was adorable 
and Dick praised her highly. She wore it from then on, 
as they gathered wood. Their conversation drifted from 
first one thing to another, but they talked more or less of 
the dress. 

“My mamma and your pap are courtin,.” ventured Dick. 

“Yep, but what of it?” asked Lily. 

“Well, I was lookin’ at it kinder like this : Some day me 
and you are goin’ to be growed up. O, Lily, look there — 
there’s a terrapin !” He didn’t finish his first sentence. 
They became so interested in the tortoise that they forgot 
the subject they were discussing. 

“Yep, and it’s the first crawler I have seen this year, 
like that,” exclaimed Lily, and if she was frightened the 
least particle, she did not show it. 

“Let’s follow him,” suggested Dick ; “they say if you’ll 
follow a terrapin, he’ll lead you to where a pot of gold is 
hid.” But no sooner had he said that than he picked up 
a small stick and touched the creature on the back with it. 
The tortoise sullied and drew his feet and head into his 
shell. That is the custom of that species of reptile, and 
the one and only way for them to protect themselves when 
danger approaches. Becoming impatient, the children 
would not wait for him to come out of his shell. Picking 
up their wood, they went home, after hiding Lily's dress 
back in the hollow tree. 

“Won’t you come into my parlor, 

Said the spider to the fly.” 

Another Sunday spreads its peaceful calm over the 
neighborhood of McDowell street. Landis Murry, for the 
first time in years, took the widow and went out to the 
old academy church on Biltmore drive. It had once served 
as a school, but since the Robertson boys had professed 
religion, they used it for a church in which to do their 
preaching. All during the whole meeting, the general 
sentiment among the gossipers was : “the widder and Lan- 


30 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


dis Murry's a sparkin' powerful much now. Wouldn’t sur- 
prise me a tall if they don't get married." Some of the 
feminine sex got awfully jealous. 

When Landis took Ida home they sat on the porch and 
talked for a long while that afternoon. 

Monday morning the widow got up a singing. She was 
happier than Dick had known her to be in a long while. 
She called him to her. 

“Dick, how'd you like to have a pappy?" she asked. 

Dick suspected what was coming and put his hands 
deep into his breeches pockets. Then he asked sullenly: 

“Just what do you mean, mamma?" 

“Well, Landis Murry has asked me to marry him. He's 
a respectable man a'right, and the prince of this neighbor- 
hood. Guess I ought to be thankful that I am lucky enough 
to get him. All the women about here are after him, you 
know." This was her explanation and praise, without lift- 
ing her eyes from her sewing. 

“Look here, mamma," he began sharply, “looks don’t 
make the man. If you marry that Corduroy Prince, I’ll 
leave home and never come back !" 

Then she looked up at him, with those snappy black 
eyes of her's, and in them was a glare of anger. 

“Well, it don’t make much difference what you care 
about it, I'm gonna marry him." This question had been 
debated hotly that Sunday afternoon, by she and Landis 
and they had come to a definite decision. Landis had re- 
ceived her meek little yes. Old man Jestice was now soon 
to rejoice in his victory. 

They were in the pines, gathering wood. It seemed the 
only place in all the whole wide world that they could 
talk confidentially to one another. 

“My mamma and your pa are goin' to get married," 
commented Dick. Lily looked up alertly and stared at him 
in grave amazement. Then she replied: 

“It ain't no more than I expected, seein' from the way 
they danced together over there at Gillum’s that night." 

“And when they do, Lil, I'm going to leave home for 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


31 


good,” asserted Dick. This sudden change in affairs had 
broke into his plans for the future. 

“Why, Dick, you oughtn’t to do that ! I’ll sure miss you 
awfully.” Lily could stand the blow of her father and 
Dick’s mother getting married, but for Dick to leave home, 
she couldn’t think of that. 

“Well, my little sweetheart,” he began, and she looked 
up at him pettishly, “WE couldn’t get married then, be- 
cause we would be brother and sister.” She stood with 
her fingers twain together and her arms hanging at full 
length in front of her. She nodded her head sadly and 
dropped it forward a little. 

Sweethearts. That’s what they were. O, wondrous 
days of youthful love ! 

“Lead kindly light, 

Amid the encircling gloom.” 

On the following Sunday night, at the little Smith cabin, 
Ida and Landis were united in solemn bonds of holy mat- 
rimony. From where Dick and Lily stood in the yard, 
looking in through the open door, about all they heard the 
minister say, was: 

“What God hath joined together, let no man put asun- 
der.” 

Then Dick took Lily by the hand and they walked out 
from the house a few steps. He was going to be true to 
his vow. He was going to leave home. There was a moon, 
and it shown brightly, lighting the children’s faces with its 
silver rays Dick looked down into Lily’s eyes. He 
thought he detected a tear. There was something curi- 
ous in her gaze. He pushed back her hair from her fore- 
head and kissed her there. Turning, he started to leave, 
but stopped abruptly, for, coming up the path toward them, 
was the sheriff and Bomber Lusk. 

Bomber Lusk had been arrested for drunkenness, and 
when placed on the witness stand and asked where he 
obtained the whiskey, he deliberately squealed on Dick. 


32 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


“Is your name Dick Smith ?” asked the sheriff gruffly. 

“Yes,” answered Dick. 

“Well, I’ve got a warrant for you.” 

“What’s the charge, Mr Officer?” asked Dick. 

“Boot-legging liquor.” 

“Then I’ll go with you,” he said to the sheriff, and turn- 
ing to Lily, he continued, “promise me, Lily, you won’t 
tell my mother.” 

“I promise,” said Lily. 

“Good-bye, little sister,” he said faintly, for there was 
a lump in his throat. 

“Good-bye Dick — take care o’ yourself and come back 
to see me some day.” As the two men and the boy turned 
to leave, Dick thought he heard her snub, and had half a 
notion to resist the officer and go back to her, and not 
leave home. 

Yes, she was crying, and through her tear-stained eyes 
she watched him out of sight. 

THE CORDUROY PRINCE 

PART IV 

THE REDEEMING POWER 

“The Fates deal uncertainly with man. 

Constantly they spin the thread of human life — 
But no one ever knows when 
The shears of Fate will clip it.” 

It was Monday morning. Dick had spent the night in 
a little old dingy cell of the city calaboose. He hadn’t slept 
a wink, because he knew he was guilty of the crime. He 
saw no way in the world for him to get out of his predica- 
ment. 

“Guess it’s the penitentiary for me,” he murmere dto 
himself with a long sigh. Putting his hand into his pocket, 
he grasped something. It was the card which Mr. Wil- 
burn had given him. “If you ever need a friend,” he said 
to himself, “come to me.” 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


33 


Just then the calaboose keeper came in to take him into 
the police court-room. Dick was nervous and somewhat 
frightened, for it was the first time he had ever been arres- 
ted, locked up or come before a judge for trial. Turning 
to the jail keeper, he said: 

“That man’s the only friend I’ve got. Tell him to come 
here at once.” 

The keeper locked Dick behind the prisoners’ bar and 
stepped to the telephone. Giving central a number, he 
waited a few moments. Dick watched every move he made, 
and waited in anxiety. Finally the silence was relieved. 

“Hello,” began the keeper, “is this Mr. Wilburn’s office 
at the Asheville Railway and Power Company? Well, 
can I speak to him? Yes, it is important. Yes, it certainly 
is. I must speak to him personally.” 

There were a few moments of silence. Dick was grow- 
ing impatient. 

“Hello! Is this Mr. Wilburn? Well, there’s a boy here 
at the police station by the name of Dick Smith. He’s in 
trouble and says you’re the only friend he’s got. U-huh — 
just a minute.” Placing his hand over the transmitter, 
he turned to Dick and said: 

“Mr. Wilburn wants to know where he met you.” 

“Tell him on McDowell Street — tell him I’m the boy 
who saved his baby,” Dick explained. Taking his hand 
from the mouth-piece, the keeper began : 

“Mr. Wilburn, the boy says you met him on McDowell 
Street. He said he saved your baby.” Hanging up the 
receiver, the keeper said to Dick, “He’s coinin’ right over.” 

“Thank you,” said Dick politely. 

Just then, the Judge, who decides the fate of many 
people, came in and took his seat on the bench. The irony 
expression on his face made everyone in the court-room 
droop their eyes sadly. There were types of every nation- 
ality in the little gathering. They had come there to have 
the wrong righted. Some had come asking justice ; others, 
mercy. 

At length, Mr. Wilburn arrived at the court. He took 


34 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


one look into Dick’s sorrowful eyes. That was enough. 
He would help Dick out of it all, or he would spend every 
penny he had. Dick had saved Dolly’s life. Now he had 
a chance to repay him and save him from a down-grade 
destiny. 

It happened that the Judge was a very intimate friend 
of Mr. Wilburn’s. So, when the Judge had finished a very 
trifling case of blackmailing, Mr. Wilburn had a 
chance to speak to him. He was told of the charge that 
was held against Dick. He paid the fine and took Dick 
away. Once they were out on the court-house steps, 
Dick looked up at Mr. Wilburn and smiled gratefully. 
Mr. Wilburn’s eyes seemed rivited on Dick’s face. Was 
it Dick’s expression that reminded him of someone he had 
once known? And who was that someone? 

“I’m going to take you home with me,” Mr. Wilburn 
told Dick. 

“I’m powerfully sorry that you found me where you did, 
Mr. Wilburn,” began Dick, as they started away. 

“O, never mind that, my boy; we all make mistakes,” 
sympathized Mr. Wilburn, for he was now coming to under- 
stand Dick’s nature. 

When Mr. Wilburn took Dick to his home on Monford 
Avenue, and Dick saw what a palace he was going to live 
in, he stared about him in curious amazement and ex- 
claimed : 

“Gee ! I wish Lily could see this place.” 

The Wilburns were too well cultured to laugh haughtily 
at Dick’s mistakes in etiquette. Mr. Wilburn introduced 
him to Mrs. Wilburn, Mae and Mrs. Wilburn’s sister, 
Carrie. They all welcomed him to their home with smiling 
faces. 

At first, Dick did not like his new life much, but soon 
he became accustomed to the ways of these people and 
grew to love them. 

When the winter session of school began, he and Mae 
attended together. Of course, she was much farther ad- 
vanced in the school work than he, but that only inspired 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


35 


him to study harder to catch up with her. He would sit 
up late of nights, and because of the strenuous effort he 
was making, he would often miss his meals. He became 
thin and weak. When cautioned by Mae, in behalf of his 
health, he would tell her that she was only saying it be- 
cause she was jealous of his rapid progress. But, never- 
theless, he and Mae were the best of friends. 

On some occasions, Dick, would seek Mr. Wilburn’s 
assistance with his lessons. Nearly every time they would 
sit together on the divan in the living-room At intervals, 
Dick would look up and find himself confronted with a curi- 
ous, longing gaze from those fatherly eyes of Mr. Wilburn. 
Every time, he would weaken under the mysterious spell 
of those almost hypnotic eyes and have to leave the room. 
It was just after one of these peculiar incidents that Dick 
chanced to mention the fact to Mae. 

‘‘Dick, almost twelve years ago they had their baby boy 
stolen from them. They never knew the cause for the 
kidnapping. They have waited all these years to pay the 
ransom, but the opportunity has never presented itself. 
They have lived and grieved in silence. They have suf- 
fered enough to pay a thousand ransoms,” Mae explained. 
Dick felt the deepest sympathy for them. 

Mae was beginning to like Dick better and better each 
day. She was beginning to think that she would have to 
recall the words she had spoken, “There was no man who 
could find his way into her heart.” Dick was doing this, 
unconciously, and without the slightest effort on his part 
whatever. 

Winter passed, and spring came again with its budding 
flowers, warm sunshine and singing birds. Dick and Mae 
were sitting on the garden wall. Out in the street they 
saw a bevy of children crowded about a dark-complexioned 
little girl who was playing a guitar and singing. The girl 
was of Spanish descent. Dick jumped from the wall to the 
ground and then assisted Mae down. They went out to 
where the girl was. It seemed that she had met Dick 


36 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


before. She went foreward to meet him. She was of a 
frivilous disposition. Taking hold of Dick’s hands, she 
placed his arms around her neck and winked at him flirt- 
ingly. It was obvious that she had been born with all the 
optimism and pep of her ancestors. Mae instantly grew 
jealous, and turning her back upon them she walked di- 
rectly to the house. 

“Mamie,” he began, “when have you seen Lily?” 

Mamie studied a little gravely and then replied, “It’s been 
weeks, Dick. Why?” 

“Because it’s been months since I’ve seen her,” he said 
sadly. 

“Cheer up, Dick. What’s the matter? Where’d you get 
all them swell clothes?.” 

“I’m living here with Mr. Wilburn now, since mother 
and Landis Murry got married,” he explained. 

“You’re lucky, Dick ! You sure do look swell,” she con- 
gratulated him. 

“Mamie, will you do me a favor?” he asked. 

“Yes, Dick, I’d do anything for you. I’d kiss you, were 
it not that your swell ladyship stands hither on yon steps 
and spies upon us,” she laughed good-naturedly. 

“Mamie, will you go and see Lily and tell her I’m well, 
and then come back and tell me if she is well or not?” 

“Yes, Dick,” she assured him, “I’ll do that for you.” 

Dick started to turn and leave her, but she held him 
tightly. Before letting him loose, she made him kiss her. 
She then bade him adieu and went her way. 

When Dick reached the steps where Mae was standing, 
he saw her lips put out poutingly. She would not speak to 
him, but turned her back coldly upon him and walked into 
the house. 

Several evenings passed. Mr. Wilburn had come home 
very late one night Mae had not made up with Dick. 
Mr. Wilburn called Dick to him and started to put his arms 
around him. Dick drew away, for he believed the motive 
behind it all was, to give him a talking about something he 
had not done to Mae. 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


37 


“O, Dick, don’t do that! You are my own child,” began 
Mr. Wilburn. 

“O, No — No, I’m not either,” asserted Dick in one 
breath. 

“Yes, you are, Dick. Here are two photographs I have 
for proof.” Taking two pictures from his pocket, Mr. 
Wilburn handed them to Dick for examination. One of 
them Dick recognized instantly, for it had been made at 
the logging camp over in Tennessee, and was of he and 
Ida Smith. The other was of himself, when at about the 
same age. 

“Those are just alike, but this one might not be me. I 
do not remember ever having it made,” explained Dick. 

“Yes, it is you, Dick. I was just down and talked to Ida 
Smith about the matter. She said that a man brought you 
to the logging camp and boarded with her, and that he was 
killed in a fight.” 

“Is all that the truth?” Dick interrupted him. 

“Yes,” Mr. Wilburn assured him. 

Just then the door-bell interrupted them. They were 
silent. At length Ebner entered and announced that there 
was a young lady caller to see Mr. Dick. 

“Show her in,” said Mr. Wilburn. 

Dick was startled to find it none other than Mamie. 

“Dick, I’ve got sad news for you. Lily is very sick, and 
calls for you constantly.” Dick went forward, grabbed 
her by the shoulders, wild-eyed and as if horror-stricken, 
stricken. 

“Very bad off?” he asked. 

“She lies at the point of death. Go, Dick, to her! Go 
as you never went to anyone before,” she urged him 
hurriedly. 

Grasping Mamie by the hand, he hauled her in his wake, 
out into the hall. Turning completely around several 
times, he grabbed his hat from the hall tree and pulled 
frantically at Mamie as they went through the front door. 
As they were going down the steps he heard Mr. Wil- 


38 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


burn call to him from the hall through the door they had 
left open behind them : 

“Take the roadster, Dick !" 

A few hurried, steps brought them to the garage. 
Swinging open the doors, Dick and Mamie climbed into 
the roadster. Dick stepped on the starter and the engine 
responded instantly. He backed it out, turned it around 
and then they were speeding away toward his love — his 
sweet, precious love. 

It was twelve o'clock in the night when they reached 
Landis Murry's. The doctor was there bending over the 
delicate little body of Lily. She was lying there, delirious, 
pale and white. Dick looked up into Mrs. Murry's face, 
wild eyed and horror stricken. 

“Is it true that you are not my mother?" he asked. 

“It is, Dick. I've been wanting to tell you the truth 
for a long time. Because I got attached to you and loved 
you is the reason why I never told you. But now that you 
have found your real parents, and they have plenty to give 
you, it is all right," she explained. 

The doctor arose to his feet, and looking over his spec- 
tacles, murmured, half under his breath : 

“It is the crisis !" 

Landis Murry was standing at the foot of the bed. He 
was grave and sad. He watched anxiously, every move 
of his little daughter. Then Lily raised and supported 
herself on her elbow. With eyes almost glassy, she began 
to sing: 


“Just as I am, without one plea, 

But that Thy blood was shed for me, 

And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee, 

O lamb of God, I come, I come !" 

Dropping back to her pillow, almost exhausted, she 
breathed hard. Was it to be the end, or would she recover? 
The eyes of every human in the room were tear stained. 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


39 


“Mamma” Dick broke the dead silence, “should any- 
thing happen, I can help you.” 

“That’s all right, Dick. We have some money. You 
know we sold our little patch of land up in the hollow to 
Mr. Jestice.” 

Dick turned from her and stepped to the bed-side of 
Lily. As he watched her breath, his eyes opened wide, 
as if he were astonished by something. He fell upon his 
knees, crying and taking hold of her hand, ran his up her 
arm to her shoulder. Gently stroking back the hair from 
her fevered forehead, he began: 

“Lily — Lily — my precious one, fight — fight, for there 
is a reason !” 

She turned her head weakly at the sound of his voice, 
and looked at him through half open eyelids. But 'she did 
not speak. 

Landis had been staring, with big tears rolling down his 
cheeks, at a picture of Christ on the cross, that hung on 
the wall just over Lily’s head. With hands folded tightly 
and eyes uplifted, he fell upon his knees at the foot of the 
bed and began crying outright. He sobbed bitterly as a 
flood of tears streamed from his eyes and flowed down 
his cheeks. Then his wife knelt beside him and began 
praying and asking forgiveness of her burden of sins. 

It is heartbreaking to lose a loved one, but it some- 
times takes trying moments to turn us from the wrong to 
the right. 


“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 

Let me hide myself in Thee ; 

Let the water and the blood 
From Thy riven side which flowed 
Be of sin the double cure, 

Save from wrath and make me pure.” 

No answer had Dick received from Lily, though he saw 
her lips twitch a little, as if she were going to speak. 

He arose, holding his palms to his temples. His eyes 


40 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


were blared wide, and a painful expression dominated his 
countenance. He staggered away from the bed and to 
the front door. The doctor, mindful of his duties, resumed 
his position at the bed and again bent over Lily. 

“Dick ! Dick !” exclaimed Mamie, who had been sit- 
ting in a chair with a handkerchief to her eyes, “what’s 
the matter, Dick?” 

He did not answer her, but blundered on through the 
front door. Mamie arose, crossed the room and followed 
hull out upon the front porch. He payed not the least bit 
of attention to her, but went down the steps. Mamie fol- 
lowed close behind him. The darkness of the night did not 
daunt her. And all through the remaining long hours of 
the night, the boy wandered, followed by Mamie, who 
kept careful watch over him. 

At length, dawn broke, and not until then did the re- 
penting man and wife look up to the picture of their Savior. 
It seemed that Christ had come to life and had stepped 
down the cross, and with outstretched arms to them, told 
them that they were saved. 

“Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, 

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve ; 
Because Thy promise I believe, 

O, Lamb of God, I come, I come.” 

The doctor had watched over Lily through the whole 
long night with anxiety, adminstering every medical aid 
possible. She had lived through the crisis, and was still 
living. She had fought a hard battle, and in the end was 
victorious. She would live. 

Dick’s mind had been injured by the shock. Believing 
Lily dead, he wandered until he came upon the hollow 
tree in the pines. This is the spot where they had spent 
so many happy hours together. Mamie was still with him. 

He stood close to the faithful old tree that had held 
their secret so long, and put his arms around it lovingly. 
Inserting his hand into the hollow, he drew forth the dress 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


41 


Holding' it close to him in his arms, he fondled its folds and 
stroked it caressingly. Faintly he murmered : 

“My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” 

Mamie stepped close to him, the good friend she was, 
and taking hold of his hand, led him from the spot. 

When dawn had broke and Dick had not appeared at 
home, Mr. Wilburn had grown uneasy about him, and 
hurried to McDowell Street, accompanied by Mae. 

Mamie saw their car come to a sudden stop in front of 
Landis Murry's, and hurried to them with Dick. They got 
Dick into the limousine and Mr. Wilburn held him in his 
arms, pressing his fevered brow close to his bosom. The 
driver started the car for home. Mae jumped into the 
roadster and was off behind them. 

THE CORDUROY PRINCE 

PART V 
HAPPY DAYS 

Epilogue 

It was now nearing the middle of summer. Old man 
Jestice had at last come to realize that his glorious vic- 
tory had only brought him a worthless bit of land. He 
had wrenched it from the hands of the widow with the 
intention of selling it at an immense profit, but instead, lost 
heavily. The Traction Corporation had decided not to put 
the line through to Biltmore. 

During the long months, Mae had sacrificed many 
pleasures, that she might administer tender care and nurse 
the brain-sick boy back to health and strength — but not 
complete sanity. 

It was early one morning. Dick and Mr. Wilburn were 
together in the drawing room. The door-bell rang vigor- 
ously. Very soon, Ebner entered the room and announced 
that there were two young ladies to see Mr. Dick. Ebner 
was instructed to show them in. It proved to be Lily and 
Mamie. The very moment Lily appeared in the door. 


42 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


Dick looked up at her alertly and stared blankly at her. 
His vision was blurred, but he faintly recollected the 
familiar face. 

“Dick,” spoke Lilly. 

Dick jumped as if from sudden fright. He got up and 
walked toward her with eyes wide open. The sleeping 
nerve in his brain, at the sound of her voice, was awak- 
ened. He now remembered all, and saw clearly. It was 
Lily. 

“Lily, do I really see you or is it your ghost?” He put 
out his hand and touched her. Mr. Wilburn got up, walked 
across the room and was standing behind him. 

“Dick, it is really me. I heard your voice that night 
calling, it seemed from a distance, telling me to 'FIGHT! 
FIGHT !’ and I fought and won. I was given a chance to 
live agan, to know the reason why you wanted me to 
fight.” Dick started to put his arm about her, but Mae 
stepped in and looked upon the scene with amazement. 

“You cannot marry her, Dick. She is not your equal.” 
It was Mr. Wilburn speaking. 

“Father,” began Dick, “she and I have been tortured 
long enough. We love one another. God knows we do!” 

“Mr. Wilburn, you should beg Dick to forgive you for 
what you have said. She is the one girl God made for 
him. She is worthy of his love, and I am sure will make 
him a good wife.” It hurt Mae to say it, for she loved 
him herself. She was faint, and closing her eyes, she leaned 
against the door-facing for support. 

“Yes, James, don’t you remember when we were 
young?” spoke a voice from behind them. It was HIS 
beloved wife, Nettie. 

“Forgive me, Dick. I was selfish. I wanted you all 
myself,” Mr. Wilburn interrupted her with a trembling 
voice. 

“Father, I forgive you with all my heart.” 

Taking Lily by the hand, Dick led her slowly out into 
the flower garden. Mr. Wilburn followed closely behind. 
They stopped under the rose pergola. The pink sunshine 


THE CORDUROY PRINCE 


43 


lit their sweet faces, and it seemed to banish the old light 
of sadness for a new one of hope and happiness. The de- 
lightful odor from the many pretty flowers perfumed the 
air. Dick lifted Lily’s dainty little chin with his finger 
tips, and kissed her lips. Then they felt two strong arms 
encircle them. Each laid their head upon his breast, and 
as Mr. Wilburn lifted his eyes reverently toward Heaven, 
he murmered : 

“GOD BLESS YOU, MY CHILDREN !” 

And here, dear reader, the struggle ends. 

FINIS 


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